Ball State University Athletics
Ball State University
Xavier
Soccer Opens 2010 Season With 2-1 Victory Over Xavier
August 20, 2010 | Soccer
MUNCIE, Ind. - The Ball State soccer team opened the 2010 season Friday afternoon with a hard fought 2-1 victory over visiting Xavier at the BSU Soccer Field. The victory was the first for the Cardinals under the guidance of first-year head coach Craig Roberts and improved BSU to 8-4 all-time in season-opening games.
"We are delighted with winning the home opener," Roberts said. "Xavier came in and gave us a strong game today. There are areas we still need to improve on and we are going to build on today's outcome to make ourselves stronger in the games ahead. It is definitely a positive move for us today with the win; we just need to consistently improve our game each and every time on the field."
Ball State (1-0-0) came out of the gate quickly and attacked Xavier as it held a 10-4 advantage in shots in the first half. Sophomore midfielder Abby Milillo (Fairfield, Ohio/Badin) had one the Cardinals' early chances as she ripped a shot from 15-yards out in the 27th minute, but Xavier goalkeeper Jennifer Perri was there to make the save.
The Cardinals got a huge save in the 38th minute of action from sophomore netminder Aubrey Buehler (Waukesha, Wis./Tennessee-Martin). The Musketeers broke into the 18-yard box for one of the only times in the first half as Carly Wenzel was alone from 12 yards out. Wenzel ripped a shot towards the upper corner but Buehler made a diving stop as she pushed the shot over the cross bar to keep the game scoreless.
Ball State cashed in on the momentum from the defensive stop in the ensuing minutes to take a 1-0 lead in the 43rd minute of play. Senior defender Kristina Anderson (Hamilton, Ohio/Badin) sent a long ball in the 18-yard box where a Xavier defender misplayed the ball. Senior forward Jacki Eft (Fishers, Ind./Hamilton Southeastern) pounced on the opportunity and ripped a shot from 15 yards out into the upper left-hand corner past Perri for the first goal of the season.
Xavier (0-1-0) came out of the halftime break and held the run of play for the first 20 minutes of the half. The Musketeers took advantage of their early pressure and worked a corner kick in the 57th minute of action. Leslie Boersma sent the corner kick towards the near post where Mariah Whitaker was there to flick the ball to the top of the six-yard box. Lauren Heap volleyed the ball into the back of the net for the game-tying goal.
Ball State regrouped and titled the field back towards its side of play. The Cardinals' hard work was rewarded in the 69th minute of play. Sophomore Amanda Dreyfus (Grove City, Ohio/Grove City) got in behind the defense and ripped a shot that Perri was able to save but she allowed a rebound to squirt out down the end line.
Sophomore Sarah Orisich (Columbus, Ind./Columbus North) corralled the loose ball and sent it back across the six-yard box. Junior Christine Concannon (South Bend, Ind./St. Joseph's) was able to get a piece of the ball to poke it to sophomore Paige Stroinski (Granger, Ind./Penn) who blasted it into the back of the net to give the Cardinals a 2-1 lead.
Ball State held off the Musketeers down the stretch as it held a 9-3 advantage in shots in the second half and a 19-7 edge in the victory. Stroinski led all players with five shots while senior Missy Gordon (Carmel, Ind./Marshall) added four shots.
Buehler picked up her first career victory as a Cardinal as she made two saves in 90 minutes of play. Perri was charged with the loss as she allowed two goals but made 12 saves for the Musketeers.
Ball State returns to action Sunday afternoon as it hosts instate rival Indiana State. Game time is set for 1 p.m. at the BSU Soccer Field and admission is FREE.
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